Genesis front man Phil Collins released the extremely popular album "No Jacket required" in January 1985. The album was a big departure from the extremely personal and darker first two solo albums "Face Value" and "Hello, I Must Be Going", though these albums were also great! No Jacket Required was much more pop orientated and spawned 4 singles.
Phil had already scored a number one US hit with "Against All Odds" in 1984 and reached number 2 that year with "Easy Lover", with Phil Bailey (of Earth Wind and Fire). However 1985 was THE year for Phil with 3 USA number 1's, out of the 7 he has earned to date.
One More Night
The first single from the album reached number 1 in the USA and number 4 in the UK. It was knocked off the top in the USA by "We Are The World". The song is quite romantic but behind Phil's lyrics, there is a personal story behind this, probably relating to a relationship breakdown, which Phil is very good at and which has provided the inspiration for many of his songs.
Nina Gordon, ex Veruca Salt, does a great live version.
Sussudio
Sussudio was released in January 1985 and also reached number 1 in the USA, number 12 in the UK. It is the first track off the album and is a classic upbeat pop number with a great hook and a great drum track, as you would imagine. Phil says that "Sussudio" is an imaginary girls name, representing any girl and the song is about falling in love whilst you are young. It has been voted in some quarters as a very poor song, but I disagree! The video shows some of the comedy talent that Phil would display later in 1988 with "Buster".
Separate Lives (with Marilyn Martin)
From the movie "White Nights", this romantic track reached number 1 in the USA (number 4 in the UK) in November 1985. It was a duet with Marilyn Martin, a USA singer who has worked with a number of artists, including Madonna (backing vocals to "Cherish"), David Foster and John Parr. The movie starred Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov and featured some nice dancing from both guys. The movie also featured "Say You, Say Me" by Lionel Richie. I actually think this is by far the weakest song by Phil in 1985, but, as a result of the movie, it caught on.
So there we have it, 1985 was a GREAT year for Phil Collins in the USA and he has followed that success with lots more hits, 3 more number ones and extremely successful soundtrack work with Disney on "Tarzan".
Another great British export!
